Fast Facts
- Researchers developed PACMAN, an AI-powered software framework that enables real-time plasma control in fusion reactors within 20 milliseconds, far faster than human response times.
- PACMAN integrates multiple machine learning models to monitor, predict, and adjust plasma behavior, preventing instabilities like tearing modes before they occur.
- During tests on the DIII-D tokamak, PACMAN successfully managed complex tasks, including controlling heating systems and coordinating multiple gyrotrons, demonstrating rapid, precise adjustments.
- The modular design of PACMAN allows easy integration of new AI models and can be adapted for various fusion devices, paving the way for faster, safer, and more adaptable fusion experiments.
AI Controls Fusion Faster Than Humans Can React
Fusion plasma can become unstable in just a few milliseconds, which is almost too quick for humans to respond. Traditional systems and human operators take seconds to react, often too slow for these rapid changes. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) can make decisions in about 20 milliseconds, much faster than a person. This quick response helps keep plasma stable and maintains the fusion process. As a result, AI is proving to be a powerful tool for managing the speed of fusion reactions.
How AI Helps Manage Fusion Systems
Researchers have developed a new software called PACMAN that uses machine learning to control fusion machines. PACMAN gathers real-time data from the plasma and predicts what it will do next. Then, it adjusts systems like heating and magnetic fields automatically. This process happens repeatedly, several times every second. Because of this, AI can detect small changes early and correct them quickly. This keeps the plasma stable and prevents disruptions that would normally take longer for humans to fix.
Expanding Opportunities for Fusion Energy
Tests at a fusion facility showed that AI can predict dangerous instabilities before they develop. For example, it identified a problem called a tearing mode 200 milliseconds ahead of time, allowing adjustments to avoid it. AI also managed multiple parts of the machine at once, such as adjusting microwave beams for heating. This rapid, flexible control opens new possibilities for future fusion reactors. Although humans still oversee the process, AI speed and adaptability make fusion experiments safer and more efficient. This progress encourages wider adoption and innovation in fusion energy technology.
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